Leslie J Miller

US Patent:

20070257048, Nov 8, 2007

Filed:

Sep 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/514412

Inventors:

Mark Towery - San Francisco CA, US
Leslie Miller - Saratoga CA, US

International Classification:

A47G 19/22

US Classification:

220703

Abstract:

A drinking glass has a cup and a base that are releasably coupled to a rod. A plurality of beads are placed on the rod and held between the cup and the base. The beads that are mounted on the rod may be different colors and shapes. By mixing the beads, different patterns are formed on the stem which may be purely ornamental or used for identification purposes.

US Patent:

20080128429, Jun 5, 2008

Filed:

Nov 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/606426

Inventors:

Mark Towery - San Francisco CA, US
Leslie Miller - Saratoga CA, US

International Classification:

A47G 19/22

US Classification:

220574

Abstract:

Drinking glasses are used to drink water and wine. A glass has a cup and a base. A wine glass has a cup portion, a stem and a circular base. A magnet that is attached to the drinking glass. A marker has a magnet and an ornamental side. The marker is held in place against an outer surface of the glass by the magnetic attraction of the cup magnet and the marker magnet.

US Patent:

46224572, Nov 11, 1986

Filed:

Jul 3, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/627442

Inventors:

Martin P. T. Bradley - Cupertino CA
Leslie A. Miller - San Jose CA
Thomas J. McCall - Fremont CA
Duane L. Middlebusher - San Jose CA
John H. Henselman - Pleasanton CA

Assignee:

Spectra-Physics, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G06K 710

US Classification:

235464

Abstract:

A sampler for taking samples from multiple sources has a fixed, non-moving needle at a sampling station. A sample vial is lifted from a tray at the sampling station. The needle pierces the septum of the vial and enters the sample as the vial is lifted toward the needle. The sample vial is also rotated as it is lifted, and a bar code reader makes a number of spaced apart, helical reads on a bar code label attached to the vial for label identification of the sample. The needle includes an inner, sample needle and an outer, gas-pressurization needle. The sample is withdrawn by the positive displacement of a syringe connected to the sample needle. The combination of the gas pressurization within the vial and the positive displacement of the syringe insures movement of the sample and accurate control of the volume removed independent of the viscosity of the sample. The vial tray mechanism for carrying the sample vials to and from the sample station includes a rotatable platter and four planetary trays carried by and rotatable on the platter. A clutch and brake drive permits the entire tray assembly to be rotated as a unit and also permits rotation of the planetary trays relative to the main platter so that any sample vial can be positioned at the sample station in any desired sequence with respect to the other sample vials.

US Patent:

44780958, Oct 23, 1984

Filed:

Mar 9, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/241810

Inventors:

Martin P. T. Bradley - Cupertino CA
Leslie A. Miller - San Jose CA
Thomas J. McCall - Fremont CA
Duane L. Middlebusher - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Spectra-Physics, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G01N 3504
G01N 3506

US Classification:

7386421

Abstract:

A sampler for taking samples from multiple sources has a fixed, non-moving needle at a sampling station. A sample vial is lifted from a tray at the sampling station. The needle pierces the septum of the vial and enters the sample as the vial is lifted toward the needle. The sample vial is also rotated as it is lifted, and a bar code reader makes a number of spaced apart, helical reads on a bar code label attached to the vial for label identification of the sample. The needle includes an inner, sample needle and an outer, gas-pressurization needle. The sample is withdrawn by the positive displacement of a syringe connected to the sample needle. The combination of the gas pressurization within the vial and the positive displacement of the syringe insures movement of the sample and accurate control of the volume removed independent of the viscosity of the sample. The vial tray mechanism for carrying the sample vials to and from the sample station includes a rotatable platter and four planetary trays carried by and rotatable on the platter. A clutch and brake drive permits the entire tray assembly to be rotated as a unit and also permits rotation of the planetary trays relative to the main platter so that any sample vial can be positioned at the sample station in any desired sequence with respect to the other sample vials.

US Patent:

43526365, Oct 5, 1982

Filed:

Apr 14, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/139648

Inventors:

Williams G. Patterson - Palo Alto CA
Allen B. Rochkind - Santa Cruz CA
Leslie A. Miller - San Jose CA
Martin P. T. Bradley - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Spectra-Physics, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

F04B 4906

US Classification:

417 22

Abstract:

A pump for producing a substantially smooth and continuous outflow of liquid at relatively high pressure has two piston assemblies flow connected in series. The first piston assembly includes a pressure piston having a long suction stroke and a relatively short and abrupt expulsion stroke. A valve at the inlet of the pressurization piston allows flow to enter (but not exit), and a valve at the outlet of the pressurization piston allows flow to exit (but not enter). The second piston assembly includes a damper piston which functions as a mechanically driven damper to smooth the outflow from the pressure piston. This smoothing is accomplished by storing of the liquid displaced by the expulsion stroke of the pressure piston and then delivering the stored pressurized liquid to the pump outlet during the suction stroke of the pressure piston. The drive for the pistons is constructed to produce an increased outflow of pressurized liquid for a short interval at the beginning of the expulsion stroke of the pressure piston to compensate for compressibility of the liquid at high pressure. At low pressure, the stepper motor drive is slowed down in response to the sensing of the increase of the outflow during this short interval to maintain the outflow smooth and continuous during this part of the cycle of operation.

US Patent:

52796477, Jan 18, 1994

Filed:

Dec 14, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/990274

Inventors:

Ronald A. Gatten - Pleasanton CA
Leslie A. Miller - Milpitas CA
Thomas J. McCall - Fremont CA
Vance J. Nau - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Thermo Separation Products (California) Inc. - Fremont CA

International Classification:

B01D 1900
B01D 6304

US Classification:

96 6

Abstract:

An apparatus for effective vacuum degassing of a liquid is provided for liquid chromatography applications. The liquid to be degassed is heated in the vacuum chamber by a radiator of electromagnetic energy, in one embodiment, or is heated before it enters the vacuum chamber. The liquid may also be agitated while in the vacuum chamber. In a preferred form, the vacuum degassing unit includes a vacuum chamber including a vacuum pump for creating a vacuum therein, a source of liquid, and gas permeable tubing for conducting the liquid through said vacuum chamber. The tubing includes first and second larger diameter blocks having at least one hole therein interconnected by at least one length of small diameter tube to form a leak-tight seal therewith.

US Patent:

51834863, Feb 2, 1993

Filed:

Dec 4, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/622999

Inventors:

Ronald A. Gatten - Pleasanton CA
Leslie A. Miller - San Jose CA
Thomas J. McCall - Fremont CA
Vance J. Nau - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Spectra-Physics, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

B01D 1900

US Classification:

55159

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for effective vacuum degassing of a liquid are provided for liquid chromatography. The bottles with the liquid are mounted above the vacuum degassing unit to provide a head pressure to the LC pump and physical stability to the bottles. The liquid is heated in the vacuum chamber by a radiator of electromagnetic energy (in one embodiment, infra-red light). Alternatively the liquid is heated before it enters the vacuum chamber. The liquid is in an agitated state in the vacuum chamber. In one variation, the liquid is conducted through the vacuum chamber through tubes wound around bobbins so as to expose a greater portion of the surface area of the tubes to vacuum. Circuitry stops the vacuum pump for a duration of a chromatographic run. The circuitry controls the LC pump and the vacuum pump so as to optimize the chromatographic conditions in the liquid chromatography analytical system. The autosampler of the analytical system includes a vacuum degasser for degassing the resident solvents of the autosampler.

US Patent:

52903400, Mar 1, 1994

Filed:

Dec 14, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/990656

Inventors:

Ronald A. Gatten - Pleasanton CA
Leslie A. Miller - Milpitas CA
Thomas J. McCall - Fremont CA
Vance J. Nau - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Thermo Separation Products (California) Inc. - Fremont CA

International Classification:

B01D 1900
B01D 1508

US Classification:

95 46

Abstract:

A degassing system is provided and includes a module for conditioning a liquid to be analyzed. The module includes a container holding a liquid, a degassing chamber, and a holder for the liquid container mounted on top of the degassing chamber. The holder provides stability to the module and contains any liquid spills. In another embodiment, the system includes an autosampler in conjunction with a degassing unit which includes a degassing chamber, a vacuum pump, and tubing for conducting liquid through the degassing chamber, which tubing is permeable to gases in the liquid.